Judge Recuses from Special House Election Case

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma Supreme Court justice has recused from a case involving a disputed recount in a special election for a Tulsa seat in the state House of Representatives.

Online court records on Monday show that Justice John Reif stepped aside from the case. A reason was not given — but Reif is from Tulsa where the election was held.

Initial returns from the April 3 election showed Democrat Dan Arthrell with a three-vote lead over Republican Katie Henke. Henke requested a manual recount that found her the winner by one vote.

Shortly after the recount was certified by the Tulsa County Election Board, two ballots for Arthrell that were not included in the recount were found inside one of the voting boxes — leading to the court challenge.